This page is updated as new information becomes available.
Last Update: 10/23/2025
- *New* 10/23/2025: Updated COA and supporting flight authorization documents
- *Recent* 9/13/2025: New information and Job Aids for Skydio TAK functionality
- 6/18/2025: Updated information for Flight by Notification/SGI submission has been posted.
Authorizations
Certificates of Authorization (COA)
- DOI: 2025-WSA-16323
- USFS: 2025-WSA-16339
Certificates of Waiver (CoW)
CoW Attachment: FAA Form 7711-2_91.113_AFS752
Previous COA Reference: 2023-WSA-11904-rev3
14 CFR Part 91 Specifics
Flight Authorization Flow Charts
Special Government Interest (SGI) Waivers
SGI Notes (October 2025)
- SGI filing requirements have changed. SGIs are only required when flights are within a TFR and in Class E2, B, C, and/or D airspace.
- All Remote Pilots utilizing the USFS and DOI COAs will follow the SGI process as outlined in the instructions below.
Updated SGI Process - June 2025
To increase efficiency and standardization of the Flight By Notification (FBN) and SGI process, the USFS has developed an automated submission workflow using an application called Survey 123. This app collects all the data required for flight authorizations via FBN or for an SGI, and then submits information up through the approval chain as necessary. The new tool and process is envisioned to create a uniform product for each submission, reducing errors, and saving time for both remote pilots and coordinators.
All remote pilots should check with their aviation/UAS leadership to determine applicability and usage of the process for FBN submissions using this tool. Remote pilots are encouraged to use the new process for SGI submissions, but the old method of submitting a PDF to the UAS Coordinator is still available.
Instructions: FBN/SGI Survey 123 App Setup
Videos
- UAS FBH and SGI App Setup (6:11)
- Submit a UAS FBN (20:27)
- Submit Automated SGI (6:47)
Legacy SGI Waiver Instructions
Note: This legacy process should only be used when the new FBN/SGI submission process is unavailable. Contact the UAS Coordinator for assistance.
- Interagency SGI Instructions (05/06/2024)
- SGI Request Template (09/14/2023, MS Word Doc)
- SGI Request Template - Populated (09/14/2023, MS Word Doc)
Airspace
NOTAMs
Fire Traffic Area
- 10/30/2023: Joint CAL Fire and USFS Fire Traffic Area Review. A joint bulletin released to highlight and reemphasize the importance of the FTA Protocol.
- IA IB 22-04 "Potential Airspace Challenges Resulting From Misinformation". Please review for clarification on the Fire Traffic Area Diagram, PMS505D
- NWCG Standards for Airspace Coordination PMS 520
- NWCG Fire Traffic Area Reference and Diagram (Updated 4/2022)
Special Use Airspace
- DoD Aeronautical Information System (Links to AP1A/AP1B on right side menu at the bottom)
Identification and Deconfliction
General Airspace Information
General Reference
Apps
- Job Aid: View Flight Logs in Avenza (June 2025)
- Avenza Maps Field Guide (2024)
- Avenza - Airdrop and export a map, features or layers (Avenza 4.0 and newer)
- Foreflight - downloading maps (January 2025)
Communications
- Icom IC-A25 radio features (Youtube Video)
Documents, Forms, and Checklists
- UASP Flight Organizer (v2.1 generic)
- Interagency PASP Template (v4.1, 1/1/2020)
- DOI Multirotor Checklist v190227
- Interagency Aviation Mishap Response Guide UAS Insert (7/8/2022)
Equipment
- IBC Memo 23-09 - UAS Incident Replacement Guide. NWCG Incident Business Committee (IBC) and the Interagency Fire UAS Subcommittee (IFUASS) has released guidance for consumable/replacement parts.
Flight Planning
- BLM NOC UAS Flight Planning Spreadsheet (Gapinski, 4/8/2022)
Incident Coordination
- IA-IB 21-07 has relevant information for IMTs on UAS Operations
System Shipping
Aircraft Reference
Alta X and Astro
GCS
- 4/30/2025: Drone Amplified has issued Technical Service Bulletin DA-04-29-25 for a battery setting update for Alta X FW version 1.4
- 4/21/2025: Drone Amplified has issued Technical Service Bulletin DA-04-11-25 for electrostatic discharge affecting the Pilot Pro controller.
- DA Flight Support
- Pilot Pro Support
- Job Aid: How to export data from DA Flight (May 2025)
Payloads
- Ignis Manual (Drone Amplified Website)
- Wiris Camera Workflow
System Specifics
- Alta X Support (Freefly Website)
- Alta X Troubleshooting
- Astro Support (Freefly Website)
- Astro Software Updates and Firmware Versioning (Note: The Astro Remote ID is available after connecting to the aircraft through the directions on the Auterion firmware update page)
Anafi GOV
M-600
- 8/29/2023: IASA 23-02 M-600 Batteries - Thermal Expansion.
- 6/28/2022: M600 Battery Shipping: With a recent increase in activity and ROs to Alaska, RPs must be aware of M600 Lithium Ion battery watt hours (Wh) and rules:
- T47S batteries are 99.9 Wh and are clear for carry-on luggage on airlines.
- T48S batteries are 129.96 Wh. MAY NOT CARRY-ON. Must be shipped!
- Reference: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/lithium-batteries-100-watt-hours-or-less-device
- 6/17/2022: Accident Prevention Bulletin 22-03 - Defective M600 Batteries
- 6/13/2022: Interagency Tech Bulletin 22-01 for M-600 Props
- 5/9/2022: SAFECOM 22-0234, M600 Batteries
Skydio X-10E
Team Awareness Kit (TAK) Functionality
- Job Aid - Activating ATAK on Skydio
- Job Aid - Renewing TAK Stream License